21-6-2023 (TEGUCIGALPA) In a tragic incident, a riot unfolded on Tuesday at a women’s prison in Honduras, resulting in the death of at least 41 inmates, as confirmed by the Public Ministry’s Forensic Medicine Directorate.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that 25 victims were burned alive, while 16 others were shot to death at the National Women’s Penitentiary for Social Adaptation, situated in the central department of Francisco Morazan, approximately 35 km from the capital city Tegucigalpa, stated Yuri Mora, spokesperson for the Public Ministry.
The death toll is expected to rise as authorities continue their search of the facility, Mora added.
Delma Ordonez, a representative of the inmates’ relatives, explained that the riot erupted following the announcement of new regulations for the prison, including the prohibition and confiscation of televisions and other devices.
Reports from local media indicate that injured prisoners have been transferred to a hospital in Tegucigalpa. Meanwhile, distressing images of charred bodies and other horrifying scenes from the aftermath have already started circulating on social media.
“We will not tolerate acts of vandalism or irregularities at this prison,” declared Deputy Security Minister Julissa Villanueva via Twitter at the onset of the riot. She promptly declared a state of emergency and authorized the “immediate intervention” of the National Police, military, and firefighters.
Authorities are expected to release an official death toll and disclose the names of the deceased inmates in the hours to come.
